AIDA Cruises set to start fleet upgrade programme AIDA Evolution

German cruise line AIDA Cruises, owned by the Miami-based Carnival Corp, is to start a fleet upgrade programme entitled AIDA Evolution – the largest vessel modernisation programme yet carried out by the Rostock-based operator. The first phase of the company’s major fleet overhaul will see work on three of AIDA’s seven Sphinx-class vessels – the 69,203gt AIDAdiva, AIDAbella and AIDAluna, with work taking place in 2025 and 2026.

AIDA Cruises told SRN that it would reveal the name of the shipyard to carry out this work and the exact timings of the refits later this year, work that is expected to take six weeks per ship. 

The main focus of work on this trio of cruise vessels, built between 2007 and 2009, will centre around a complete interior redesign, while upgrades of each vessels’ technical systems will also be undertaken to bring the vessels into line with the latest environmental regulations. All passenger cabins on the Sphinx-class trio will undergo major refurbishment, while the number of passenger suites will be increased.

Meanwhile, for the first time in this class of ships, new exclusive areas and services will be created. The scope of work on each vessel will see the creation of more dining options, as well as signature bars and enhanced services. The heart of each Sphinx-class vessel is the Theatrium, which will undergo a major refurbishment, while a number of new children’s areas will also be created. 

AIDAdiva will be the first vessel to undergo the AIDA Evolution upgrade, in spring 2025, with work on AIDAbella starting in autumn 2025 and AIDAluna in spring 2026.